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Monthly Archives: November 2013

With 31 communities to choose from (and growing all the time), chances are high that American House is already in your neighborhood! Check out these Fun Facts About Communities Where American House is Located while you’re deciding which community you’d like to live in:

MICHIGAN

American House Carpenter — Ypsilanti, MIHome of Eastern Michigan University, just six miles east of Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan, “Ypsi” is home to the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum. Here sits an original Fabulous Hudson Hornet race car, the inspiration behind the Doc Hudson character in the Pixar movie “Cars.”

American House Charlevoix — Charlevoix, MIThis locale is surrounded by Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix, in a beautiful resort community that was once a popular respite for Chicago’s gang members during the Prohibition!

American House Dearborn Heights — Dearborn Heights, MI
This community is located close to The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in nearby Dearborn. Travel through time and view the history of the auto industry up close and don’t forget to visit the village that has preserved America’s past.

American House East I — Roseville, MI
It may be hard to believe that Michigan’s first commercial airport once sat where the Eastgate Shopping center is now located at Frazho Road and Gratiot Avenue.

American House East II — Roseville, MI
Because of the strong Irish population when Michigan became a state, the area became Erin Township — before finally becoming Roseville in 1926.

American House Elmwood — Rochester Hills, MI
The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm is a registered historic place that showcases five generations of the Taylor-Van Hoosen families with the 1840 Van Hoosen farmhouse, 1850 red house, 1927 dairy barn and 1848 schoolhouse — along with 16 acres of gardens and historic grounds.

American House Farmington Hills — Farmington Hills, MI
Michigan’s only Holocaust museum, The Holocaust Memorial Center details the contributions and history of the Jewish community. Plus, there’s the popular Founders Festival every summer in neighboring Farmington.

American House Grand Blanc — Grand Blanc, MI
The Heritage Association Museum in Grand Blanc preserves historical information (and hosts a historical quilt-making group!). For sports fans, the annual Buick Open PGA tournament used to take place here.

American House Hazel Park — Hazel Park, MI
There’s live harness racing at the Hazel Park Raceway during the warmer months — and live simulcast racing all year long! The Budweiser Clydesdales have even been known to stop by here around the holidays.

American House Lakeside — Clinton Township, MI
Clinton Township is home to The Mall at Partridge Creek, a dog-friendly outdoor shopping area with a movie theater, restaurants, seasonal live entertainment, bocce courts and a children’s play area. Also, the Clinton-Macomb Public Library’s main branch is one of the biggest and nicest libraries in the area with lots of free events and activities.

American House Livonia — Livonia, MI
Watch your speed when you’re driving through here! Apparently the National Motorists Association in 2012 named Livonia the second worst city in the United States and Canada for speed traps (The worst? Flower Mound, Texas).

American House Milford — Milford, MI
Think Milford is a small town with not much going on? Think again! There are 250 specialty boutiques and restaurants, a YMCA, Central Park, bike paths, parades and more!

American House North — Flint, MI
Flint isn’t just known for its connection to General Motors — the Flint cultural center includes plenty of opportunities for learning at the Sloan Museum, Buick Automotive Gallery, Longway Planetarium, The Whiting, Flint Youth Theatre, Flint Institute of Arts and Flint Institute of Music.

American House Oakland — Pontiac, MI
The Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial, the only memorial in Michigan to honor law enforcement members and fire fighters who lost their lives in the line of duty, is in Pontiac.

American House Petoskey — Petoskey, MI
Take some time in this beautiful resort community and head to the shores around Petoskey to reach in the water and find the Petoskey stone, Michigan’s state stone!

American House Riverview — Riverview, MI
As recently as the 1950s, Riverview was home to active missile silos, set to protect metro Detroit and its automobile and steel industries.

American House Royal Oak — Royal Oak, MI
Royal Oak is a bustling city, with a lively downtown area, the annual Labor Day Arts, Beats & Eats festival and home of the Detroit Zoo! The zoo offers a polar bear exhibit, journey through the Outback and plenty of attractions and events for all ages.

American House Southfield — Southfield, MI
Many of the area’s television studios and radio broadcast facilities are located in Southfield — along with the Miracle League of Michigan, Michigan’s first baseball field for children with physical or cognitive disabilities.

American House Southgate — Southgate, MI
Looking to have some outdoor fun? Southgate offers nine neighborhood parks and playfields, plus two community parks. In addition, there’s there are programs through the recreation department, events through the senior center, a municipal golf course and the Southgate Civic Arena — which offers two sheets of ice!

American House Southland — Taylor, MI
Got a little (or big) sports fan in your life? The Junior League World Series baseball tournament takes place in Taylor’s Heritage Park every year!

American House Sterling Heights — Sterling Heights, MI
Sterlingfest — an annual festival offering plenty of local and national musical acts, arts and crafts vendors, a carnival and more — takes place here one weekend each summer.

American House Sterling Meadows — Sterling Heights, MI
Macomb County boasts a large Polish population, so the annual American-Polish in Sterling Heights festival brings in lots of fellow Polskis to enjoy the food, music and atmosphere. Did we mention the food?

American House Sterling Woods — Sterling Heights, MI
As Michigan’s fourth-largest city, Sterling Heights was ranked the safest city in the state in 2010 according to FBI statistics and in the top 100 best places to raise a family according to Best Life magazine.

American House Stone — Rochester, MI
During nearly all of December, the businesses in downtown Rochester participate in The Big, Bright Light Show, a glorious display of holiday lights adorning the façade of every building. It’s a breath-taking sight to see!

American House The Village — Rochester Hills, MI
Take a swim or rent a paddle boat to enjoy the water at Spencer Park — or head out to the fishing pier and then have a picnic while you’re at it.

American House Troy — Troy, MI
The Troy Historic Village is an interactive museum that chronicles the city’s journey through time. If you’re more into present-day fun, head over to the Somerset Collection, an upscale shopping mall with plenty of stores and restaurants.

American House West Bloomfield — West Bloomfield, MI
Diversity is key: Here, you’ll find the state’s third-largest Japanese population, along with the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit and the Chaldean Cultural Center.

American House Westland Joy — Westland, MI
The Nankin Mills Nature Center in Westland is now a historic and nature interpretive center, but was originally a gristmill before Henry Ford took over and used it for workers to make stencils for Ford Motor Company.

American House Westland Venoy — Westland, MI
The Norwayne Historic District is a historic residential subdivision that was originally built after World War II to house returning soldiers who were heading back to work. The area has parks, a church and a community center.

Park Place, A Signature American House Community — Warren, MI
The city isn’t just about the General Motors Technology Center, TACOM and TARDEC; the Warren Community Center invites residents to enjoy plenty of events and activities hear year-round.

Regent Street, A Signature American House Community — West Bloomfield, MI
The West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve, with 162 acres containing more than 100 bird species and various other animals, joins several other parks and trails for the outdoor enthusiast.

FLORIDA

American House Bonita Springs — Bonita Springs, FL
If you’re looking for a beach town with plenty to do, you’re in luck: Bonita Springs offers 10 beach access areas, several parks, the Everglades Wonder Gardens, the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track, Lover’s Key State Park and so much more!

AMERICAN HOUSE

Which location seems most interesting to you? Give us a call today at (248) 579-4422 or visit www.americanhouse.com to set up your tour today so you can start enjoying your community tomorrow!

We spend a lot of time being thankful at American House . We know everyone else does, too: A fun family tradition on Thanksgiving can be to go around the table and have each person talk about something for which he or she is grateful. But while it’s natural to focus more on the things you’re thankful for during November because of Thanksgiving, we’ve found 4 Ways to Bring More Gratitude into Your Life, ALL YEAR LONG:

1. Brush your teeth with a positive thought.

You have a daily schedule when you wake up: Turn off the alarm clock, put your slippers on and head into the bathroom for your morning routine. An easy way to start your day on a positive note is to incorporate a little gratitude while you’re getting ready. Make it a point to think about what you are thankful for while you are brushing your teeth! That gives you two minutes to focus on the good things in your life and head into the daily grind in a great mood. Don’t forget to review the best parts of your day when you brush those pearly whites at bedtime, too!

2. Pay it forward.

It’s amazing how much helping someone else out can make you appreciate everything in your own life. Don’t just do it on “Pay it Forward Day” (April 24, 2014, in case you were wondering). Bringing a smile to someone else’s day — by paying for the coffee of the person behind you in line, donating your time to help friend or saying a kind word to the disgruntled cashier at the store — is something that can be done on a daily basis. You could even donate services or products, like so many generous folks in this An American House Wedding love story! When you make a conscious effort to go out of your way for someone else, it allows you to be thankful for the little things.

3. Find the silver lining.

Sometimes it’s really hard to see the positive in a crummy situation. And you may not be able to think about it right away, but once you decide to look at things in a different light you’ll find that your entire outlook will change. This isn’t about making lemonade when life hands you lemons (although that’s certainly a fantastic adage!), but it’s more about noticing that there is something light behind that dark cloud hanging above you during those trials and tribulations. Got a flat tire? In the rain? When you call the auto club for assistance, it’s a great time to find a way to Pay it Forward by showing your sincere appreciation to the employee and his or her help coming to your rescue — or maybe it’s the perfect time to have an excuse to catch up with your mechanic nephew.

4. Think of the glass as half full.

It’s time to stop complaining! When you are quick to jump to pointing out the negative aspects of your circumstances, you end up bringing more negativity upon yourself — because that’s all you see. Instead, promise yourself to curb the complaining and bring in the positive affirmations. It can take a while to catch yourself spewing out the pessimistic remarks, but we promise you’ll see an impact. Here’s proof: One Easy Way to Lead a Longer, Healthier Life. And nobody wants to spend their time with a Negative Nancy, anyway, so don’t be surprised if your social circle expands and you’re receiving more dinner invitations when you become known as the neighborhood optimist!

Giving thanks to American House

Want to see all the things we’re thankful for — like our wonderful residents and thoughtful staff? Call us today at (248) 579-4422 or visit www.americanhouse.com to schedule a visit so you can see for yourself (Psst: There’s apple pie involved, too).

*Emergency response systems and other medical and personal support services provided onsite 24/7 by a Medicare certified home health care agency not affiliated with American House. Hospice care provided onsite by local hospice organizations upon resident or family request.